Request For Proposal/Consultant
Consultant for Youth Behavioral Health Strategy Development
The Ethiopian Community in Seattle (ECS) is seeking a qualified consultant to support the development of a Youth Behavioral Health Strategy (2026–2029).
About ECS
Ethiopian Community in Seattle (ECS) is a nonprofit organization serving immigrants and refugees from Ethiopia and East Africa across the Puget Sound region. ECS delivers programs focused on Health, Affordable Housing, Economic Development and Youth Mental Health. ECS serves a broad and diverse constituency including recently arrived immigrants and refugees, seniors, second-generation youth, parents, and small business owners.
Background & Need
The Ethiopian Community in Seattle (ECS) has implemented a range of activities aimed at educating youth, families, and the broader community about mental and behavioral health and addressing the stigma that often surrounds seeking behavioral health support.
As part of these efforts, ECS has organized informational and educational sessions facilitated by mental health consultants from the community. These sessions have been designed to be culturally and linguistically responsive and to create opportunities for community members to learn about mental health, recognize behavioral health concerns, and become more comfortable discussing and seeking support.
ECS recognizes that youth and young adults in the Ethiopian and broader East African communities may face a range of behavioral health challenges influenced by factors including cultural expectations, family and intergenerational dynamics, migration and acculturation experiences, social isolation, discrimination, academic and employment pressures, identity development, and barriers to accessing culturally and linguistically appropriate services.
ECS is therefore seeking to build on its existing work by developing a comprehensive, practical, and culturally grounded Youth Behavioral Health Services Strategy for 2026–2029.
Purpose of the Consultancy
The purpose of this consultancy is to support ECS in developing a clear, actionable, and culturally responsive three-year Behavioral Health Services Strategy that reflects the needs, voices, culture, and lived experiences of Ethiopian and East African youth and young adults.
The strategy will take stock of ECS’s behavioral health-related activities and partnerships to date, assess current and emerging needs among youth and young adults, identify gaps and opportunities, and establish strategic priorities for the next three years.
The strategy should provide ECS with a practical roadmap for strengthening its behavioral health programming and partnerships, with particular emphasis on:
- Reducing stigma related to mental and behavioral health.
- Increasing youth awareness, engagement, and participation.
- Improving access to culturally and linguistically responsive behavioral health information and services.
- Strengthening referral pathways between ECS, families, schools, community organizations, and behavioral health providers.
- Increasing early identification and appropriate connection to support.
- Building sustainable partnerships with culturally responsive behavioral health providers and other relevant organizations.
- Strengthening ECS’s capacity to engage youth and young adults in behavioral health initiatives.
- Establishing measurable priorities and outcomes for the 2026–2029 period.
Timeline
- Start Date: October 1st, 2026
- End Date: November 15th, 2026
Budget & Compensation
ECS has budgeted $2,000 in compensation for this engagement. Consultants are encouraged to propose a realistic scope within this budget. Please be explicit in your proposal about what is and is not included at this budget level.
Qualifications
- Experience in behavioral health, public health, or community services
- Experience working with immigrant/refugee or BIPOC communities
- Strong facilitation and communication skills
- Cultural and linguistic understanding of East African communities preferred
How to Apply
Interested applicants should submit:
- Letter of interest
- Resume or organizational profile
- Proposed approach
- Proposed budget
- References
Submit applications to: nebiatm@ecseattle.org
Deadline: September 26, 2026
Applicants from Ethiopian and East African communities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Assistant Amharic and Cultural Class Teacher
Position Type: Part-Time (Up to 10 hours/week)
Compensation: $27/hour Reports to: Lead Amharic and Cultural Class Teacher
Background
The Ethiopian Community in Seattle (ECS) is a 501 (c)(3) that serves immigrants and refugees of Ethiopian and East African descent. ECS was established in 1983 by a group of immigrants who volunteered their time, expertise and financial resources to assist fellow immigrants to establish their livelihoods in Greater Seattle. Currently, ECS provides social services as well as long term programs on health, education and housing.
Position Overview
ECS is seeking an Assistant Teacher for its Amharic and Cultural Class. The Assistant Teacher will help in planning and implementing weekly classes for children that celebrate Ethiopian culture, language, history, and traditions. This role includes providing support in classroom instruction and family engagement.
Key Responsibilities
• Instructional Support: Assist in teaching weekly Amharic and cultural lessons by leading small groups and supporting class activities.
• Preparation: Help prepare materials, supplies, and classroom setup for each session.
• Student Engagement: Encourage student participation through games, songs, and interactive learning.
• Cultural Activities: Support cultural enrichment programs and events at ECS that celebrate Ethiopian traditions.
• Collaboration: Work closely with the Lead Teacher to follow established lesson plans and maintain consistency across sessions.
• Family Communication: Help share class updates with parents and support community outreach when needed.
Schedule: Weekly classes to be held on Saturday mornings for three hours.
There won’t be classes on Saturdays when there are holidays or vacations per the Seattle Public School Calendar
Timeline: September 19th – December 12th, 2026
Required Qualifications
● Strong passion for Ethiopian culture, language, and history.
● Proven experience as a teacher or assistant teacher for youth in cultural settings..
● Proficiency in Amharic and English (spoken and written).
● Strong and communication skills.
● Creative, reliable, and community-oriented.
● Ability to collaborate with diverse teams and families.
Preferred Qualifications
● Experience mentoring or supervising other educators or volunteers.
● Experience in community outreach, family engagement, or student recruitment.
● Familiarity with culturally responsive and experiential teaching methods.
How to Apply: Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter outlining their qualifications and interest in the position to sophiab@ecseattle.org. Please include the “Assistant Teacher Application” in the subject line.
Deadline for Applications: September 15, 2026 (This is a contracted, hourly position; no additional benefits are provided).
This position offers an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children within the Ethiopian community in Seattle while fostering cultural pride and identity. We encourage individuals who share our passion for Ethiopian heritage and education to apply. ECS is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or any other class protected by law.
Development Manager
Ethiopian Community in Seattle | Seattle, WA | Full-Time
Compensation: $75,000–$85,000 | Reports to: Executive Director
About Ethiopian Community in Seattle
Ethiopian Community in Seattle (ECS) is a vibrant, community-rooted nonprofit dedicated to empowering immigrants from Ethiopia and East Africa and their families in the greater Seattle area.
With a dedicated staff of 10, ECS is currently managing a $1.5M annual budget with significant opportunity to expand our funding base through major gifts, institutional grants, and new partnerships.
We provide culturally responsive social services and long term programs on education, health, housing and small business support. As the organization grows, we are building out our development function to match our expanding impact and ambition.
The Opportunity
This is a rare opportunity to shape and lead the development function at a mission-driven organization with deep community trust and strong growth momentum. You will work in close partnership with the Executive Director to own donor cultivation, grant writing, partnership development, and fundraising strategy—building systems, deepening relationships, and opening new revenue streams.
This is a hands-on, high-impact role for someone who thrives with autonomy, leads with relationships, and is energized by building.
Key Responsibilities
Grant Writing & Portfolio Management
▪ Research, write, and submit compelling grant proposals to foundation, corporate, and government funders across local, state, and federal levels.
▪ Manage the front-end grant lifecycle including prospect research, proposal development, and funder relationship management; collaborate with program and grants coordination staff on award compliance and reporting.
▪ Maintain the grants calendar and track submission deadlines, reporting requirements, and compliance obligations across all active grants.
▪ Cultivate relationships with program officers at key foundations and government funders, opening doors and positioning ECS for future funding opportunities.
▪ Work with program staff to document outcomes and gather data that feeds into proposals, grant reports, and renewal applications.
▪ When grant volume demands it, coordinate with external grant writing support—providing context, data, and review to ensure strong proposals.
Individual Donor Identification & Cultivation
▪ Inherit and grow ECS’s existing donor base and membership, building authentic, long-term relationships with current members and new prospects.
▪ Lead a proactive donor identification strategy—researching prospects, mapping community networks, and surfacing new giving opportunities.
▪ Transition the organization from an Excel-based donor list to a CRM system, building the infrastructure for sustainable, data-driven donor management.
▪ Design and execute a full individual giving program including annual fund campaigns, recurring giving, mid-level and major donor outreach, and planned giving conversations.
▪ Create compelling donor communications—appeals, impact updates, stewardship touchpoints—that deepen connection to ECS’s mission.
▪ Develop and manage a moves management system to track donor relationships and ensure no prospect falls through the cracks.
Corporate & Community Partnerships
▪ Identify, pursue, and steward corporate sponsorship opportunities with Seattle-area businesses aligned with ECS’s mission.
▪ Develop a tiered partnership program that offers meaningful engagement opportunities for corporate partners at varying levels of investment.
▪ Build relationships with civic leaders, community organizations, and cross-sector partners to expand ECS’s reach and influence.
▪ Represent ECS at community events, coalition meetings, and networking opportunities to grow the organization’s presence and relationships.
▪ Negotiate and manage partnership agreements that generate financial support, in-kind resources, employee volunteer engagement, and visibility.
Events & Community Fundraising
▪ Plan and execute annual fundraising events, including galas, donor gatherings, giving campaigns, and community-based fundraising activities.
▪ Engage community members as ambassadors and volunteer fundraisers to extend ECS’s reach and donor network.
▪ Explore earned income and social enterprise opportunities in collaboration with the Executive Director.
Visibility & Communications
▪ Increase ECS’s public profile through strategic storytelling, media outreach, and digital communications.
▪ Collaborate with staff to capture and communicate program impact in ways that resonate with diverse funders and audiences.
▪ Develop case for support materials, one-pagers, and presentations for funders and partners.
Qualifications
Required
▪ Minimum 5-8 years of nonprofit development experience, with demonstrated success in fundraising, grant writing, and/or individual donor cultivation.
▪ Familiarity with public and private funding streams, including government grants at the city, county, and state level
▪ Proven grant writing experience, with a track record of successful proposals to foundations and/or government funders.
▪ Proven ability to identify, cultivate, and close gifts from individual donors across giving levels.
▪ Strong relationship-builder who is comfortable making asks, following up, and sustaining long-term donor and partner relationships.
▪ Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to tell compelling stories to diverse audiences.
▪ Self-directed and highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple priorities independently.
▪ Comfort working in a growing organization with evolving systems and processes.
▪ Genuine commitment to and respect for the Ethiopian community and ECS’s mission.
Preferred
▪ Experience implementing or migrating to a nonprofit CRM
▪ Experience working with a community centered organization is a plus.
▪ Established relationships with funders and corporate partners in the Greater Seattle area.
Compensation & Benefits
▪ Salary range: $75,000–$85,000, depending on experience.
▪ 100% employer-paid medical and dental insurance
▪ 401k with 3% employer match.
▪ Paid time off and holidays.
▪ The opportunity to shape and lead the development function of a growing organization.
How to Apply
Ethiopian Community in Seattle is an equal opportunity employer. To apply, please send a resume and a cover letter to info@ecseattle.org by September 26, 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
